Carry car trailer track structure



Jan. 21, 1958 D. J. BLUNDEN CARRY CAR TRAILER TRACK STRUCTURE 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 16, 1956 ATTORN EYS Jan. 21, 1958 D. J.BLUNDEN CARRY CAR TRAILER TRACK STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed April16, 1956 ATTORNEY Jan. 21, 1958 D. J. BL.UNDEN CARRY CAR TRAILER TRACKSTRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 16. 1956 NVENTOR. DONALDJ.BLUNDEN ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1958 D. J. BLUNDEN 2320665 CARRY CAR TRAILERTRACK STRUCTURE Fled April 16, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 DONALD J. BLUNDENATTORNEYS CARRY CAR 'I'RAILER TRACK STRUCIURE Donald I. Blundeu,Detroit, Mich. assignor to Whitehead & Kales Company, River Rouge, M1ch,a corporatiou of Michigan Application April 16, 1956, Serial No. 578,488

11 Claims. (Cl. 296-1) Ths invention relates to carry car trailers andrefers more particularly to track structure thereof.

Carry car trailers must be built to conform with rigid governmeutregulations regarding overall leugth and height. The overall length oftwo cars supported on a carry car trailer can be substantially reducedif they are carried so as to partially overlap one another and to thisend, at least one of the car supporting track sectious is supported formovement from an elevated car loading position in alignment with theother car supporting track section to a lowered carrying position inwhich the cars partially overlap.

The overall length of present day cars from bumper to bumper issubstantially greater than the wheel base length and so the car bodyextends considerably beyond the wheels at both ends. Ths createsproblems in the construction of carry car trailers, particularly wherethe overlapping relation referred to above is desired. When the tracksectious are in alignment, the adjacent ends must be very close to oneanother to provide a continuous track for the movement of a car from onetrack section to the other. However, when one of the track sectious ismov able to a lowered position with respect to the other, provision mustbe made for clearing the bumper of the car supported on the one tracksection with the other track section.

One object of this invention is to provide a carry car trailer having adeck comprising three permanently monnted track sectious adapted When ina predetermined position to provide lengthwise of the vehicle acontinuous track onto which one or more cars may be loaded.

Another object is to provide a track structure of the type rnentionedwherein two of the track sectious are spaced apart lengthwise of thevehicle and are mounted for movement independently of each other from anelevated position to a lowered position and wherein the third tracksection is intermediate the two spaced track sectious and is mounted tomove independently relative to said two spaced track sectious to twopositions, one of said postions permitting a car on one of said twotrack sectious to move therewith without colliding with the third tracksection, and the other of said positions permitting said thrd tracksection to form an endwise extension of the other of said two tracksectious whereby two wheels of a car may be carried by said other tracksection and two wheels of said car may be carried by the third tracksecnon.

Another object is to provide a track structure having meaus for guidingthe third track section during movement thereof between said twopositons.

Another object is to provide a track structure having meaus operableWhen said thrd section reaches either of said two postions for limitingmovement of said thrd section.

Another object is to provide a track structure having meaus for holdingsaid thrd section in one of the two positions mentioned.

nited States Patent Another object is to provide a track structurehaving meaus for retaining the third track section in telescopicrelation with one of the other two track sectious mentioned.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the followingdescription proceeds, especially When considered with the accompanyngdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view in side elevation of a loaded carrycar trailer embodying the present inventien.

Figure 2 is a sectonal view taken along the line 2-2 on Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the structureincludng the movable additional track section.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1 with parts of thetrailer frame structure breken away, and taken along the line 44 onFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the additional tracksection in another position.

Figure 6 is sirnilar to Figures 4 and 5 and shows the parts in anotherposition.

Figure 7 is a view partly in section sirnilar to Figure 4 and showing amodified construction, being taken along the line 77 on Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a sectonal view taken along the line 88 on Figure 7.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1-6 of the drawings andespecially to Figure 1 thereof, the carry car trailer is generallyindicated at 10 and comprises a trailer body 12 having a pair of groundengaging wheels 14 supporting the rear end of the body, and having thefront end portion suitably connected to the rear end of a tractor 16.The tractor rear wheels are indicated at 18.

The trailer body 12 has a rigid upright frame structure comprisng twolaterally spaced longitudinally exteuding upright frames 20 and 22.Between these frames 20 and 22 is a lower deck 24 which extends from thefront to the rear end of the trailer body for supporting two cars A andB thereon in tandem relation. The lower deck may be of any suitableconstruction.

The trailer is provided with an upper deck for carrying cars C and Dabove those on the lower deck. The upper deck comprises three tracksectious 26, 28 and 54. The track sectious 26 and 28 are spacedlongitudinally apart and are located between and pivotally supportedfrom the upright side frames 20 and 22. The foremost track section 26comprises a pair of laterally spaced parallel track members 30 and 32which extend longitudinally of the trailer. Each track member may haveany suitable crosssection as desired, but are preferably either channelor Z-shaped. In the present instauce, as shown in Figures 1-6, eachtrack member is of generally channel shape, the base 34 of the channelshaped track members supporting the wheels of a car, and the upstandingside flanges 35 at either side of the base laterally confining thewheels. Flanges 36 extend laterally outwardly from the upper extremities of the side flanges.

The lateral spacing between the track members is, of course, inaccordance with the lateral spacing of the wheelson a standard car.

The foremost track section 26 is pivoted for vertical swinging movementon the cross frame member 40. Frame member 40 extends between theskeleton frames 20 and 22 and has hinges 41 thereon, respectivelypivotally mounting the track members 30 and 32 on the cross frame member40, the horzontal axes 38 of the hinges being in aligument with eachother and extending transversely of the trailer. The track sectious are,of course, rigidly interconnected by any suitable meaus (not shown) forconstraining them to move as a unit.

The rearmost track section 28 comprises a pair of laterally spacedparallel track members 42 and 44 which extend lengitudinally of thetrailer. The track members 42 and 44 may be of any suitablecross-sectien as desired andafe net necessarily of the samecross-sectien as the track members 30 and 32. Preferably, they will beof either channel er Z-shape. As shewn in Fignres 1-6, the track members42 and 44 are of the same cross sectional shape as the track members 39and 32 and the spacing betweenfthem is the same. The rearmost tracksection 28 is pivotally supperted fer vertical swinging mevement en the,cross frame member 46 which extends between the skeleton frames 2 and22. Specifically, a pair of hinges 50 each have ene hinge leaf secured.to the cross member46 and the ether hinge leaf secured te a trackmember of the rearmost track sectien, the herizontal axes 51 of thehinges being aligned with each ether and ex tendng tiansversely of thetrailer. The track members 42 and 44 arezigidly intercennected formovement as a unit,and a drp pan 52 is secured te and extends betweenthe track members. A similar drip pan (net shown) extendsbetween thetrack members of the foremest track section 26.

The-rearmost track section 28 is mevable abeut its pivet from anelevated substantially horzontal pesition for enabling the ears A and Bte be loaded en the lewer deck through the open maar end of the trailerte a lowered position shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 6. The lowered positionof the rear track sectien is the normal positien it assumes when loadedfer transit and is also the position it assurnes fer moving a car frerneneto the other of the track sectiens 26 and 28. The foremost tracksection 26 is movable abeut its pivot trom an elevated car leadingpesition sheivn in Figures 4 and 5 to a lowered position which itassi1mes when loaded fer transit shown in Figure 1. when in itselevatedcar loading pesitien, track sectien 26 is in substantialalignment With the ferward end of; the rearmost track sectien when thelatter is in its car leadingpesitionl. In ether werds, the track members39 and 32 of the formost track sectien are in substantial alignment withthe forward ends efthe track members 42 and 440i the rearmost tracksectien. However, it Will be seen that in the car loading positions ofthe track sec tiens, there is a substantial gap between the forward endof the rearmesttrack sectien and the rear end of the foremest tracksection 26 (sec Figures 4 and 5). The track sectien 54 is intermedateand is adapted te span the space orgap betWeenthe adjacent ends 53 and55 of the longitudinally spaced track sections 26 and 28 in the carleading positions thereor. The intermediate track sectien 54 is operableasan endwise extension of the ferward end 26 when the latter is inelevated car leading pesition and is slidable in the eppesite directionto provide clearance for a car loaded on the foremost track section 26when the latter is meved between raised and lowered positions, as showninFigure 5.

The intermediate track section 54 comprises a pair of laterally spacedparallel track members 56 and 58 which may be of anysuitablecross-sectien as desiied although usually taking the general shape ofthe track members of the rearmesttrack sectien28. In the presentinstance, track members 56 and 58 are of the same generallychannelshaped cress-sectien as the track members 42 and 44, althonghasseen in Fignre 2, the channels of the members S6and 58 are somewhatdeeper. The track mem- 'bers 56 and 58 are respectively slidablysupported upon the p surfaces. of thebases of the channels of trackmembers 42 and 44 and consttute exterisiens thereof The trackmembers56and 58 are interconnected at their rear ends by any sutable means, andin the present in stance, by a transversemember6l');- The m may have anysuitable. cross-sectien such as the. channel. shape of simlar shapewhich issecured to the tops of the adjacent inner ends of the bars 66and has its eppesite ends abutting the adjacent sidefianges of the trackmembers 56 and 53. Thus, the bars 66 and 68 rigidly interconnect theferward end pertions of the track members 56 and 58, and the channelmember 60 rigidly interconnects the rearmost end pertions thereof.

The laterally outwardly extending extremities of the bars 66 aresupported en slideways 7 0 which are-preferably formed of laterallyinwardly directed flai1ges of the angle plates 72 which are respectivelysecured te the upright frames 20 and 22 at oppeste Sides of the trailer.Slide ways 76 lie ina cemrnon plane parallel to the plane of therearmost track section 28 when the latter is in its position of Figuresl, 4, 5 and 6. The bars 66 slidably engagethe slideways te support theferward end per tien of the intermediate track sectien 54 as itmevesforwardly and rearwardly between the extended er spanning positienof Figures 4 and 6 and the retracted pesition of Figure 5. As seeninFigures 3, 4 and 6, the forward ends of the track members 56 and 58are aligi1ed with and in juxtapositien te the rea1* ends 53 of thefeiemost track members 30 and 32 when the foremest track sectien 26 isin its elevated car leading psition.

Suitable means areprovided te retain theintermediate track 54 inassembld telescepit:relatien With the rearmost track section 28, and inthe present instance sucl means comprises L-shaped ears 74 en the trackmembers 56 and 58 of the intermediate track secten54, the lateralflanges of said ears being secured te the top surfaces of the laterallyeutwardly extending flanges 64 of the track members 56 and 58; and thedepnding flanges of the ears extending belew the track members 42 and44. Pins 76 extend between the lewer extremities of the dependingflanges of the ears 74 and beneath the track members 42 and 44 of therearmost track section 28. te prevent the intermedate track section 54from being removed from the rearmost track sectien 28.

The limit of forward movement of the intermediate track sectien 54 isdetermined by plates secured te the slideway angle plates 72 at theforward ends thereef in positiens te be engaged by the transverse bars66; The limit of rearrvard er retractien movement of the intermediatetrack sectienis determined by the engagement of the bars 66 with thetransverse frame member46 as shewn in Figure 5. It Will be noted thatthe inwardly directed flanges er slideways 700f the angle plates 72extend parallel with the rearmost track sectien 28 in its lower carleading pesition illustrated se that theintermediate track section 54will:meve generally in the plane of the rearmost track sectien duringits ferward and rearw-ard mevement.

Suitable means are provided te held the intermediate track sectien 54inits extended pesition; In the present instance, the bars 66 have plates82 secured te their tep surfaces attheeuter extremities thereef, theseplates being previded with epenings S4, respectively aligned with openings 86 in the slideways 70 in the fully extended positien of the.additional track sectien, A pin 88 is carried by each plate 82, beingcennected thereto by a flexible memhet 96, and the pin is adapted te beinserted threugh the epenings 84 and 86 in the extended pesitien of theintermediate track section 54 to hold it in its extended positien.

The track members of the intermediate track section 54 are each providedwith tie-down devices 92 which comprise shafts 94 rotatably carried bythe track members at the forward ends thereof by brackets 96. The laterally outwardly extending flanges 64 are cut away at the front ends toaccommodate brackets 96. Cables or chains may be wound upon the shafts94 and are employed for attachment with the body of the automobilesupported thereon to hold it against movement.

A handle 98 is provided for manually moving the intermediate tracksection 54 between the retracted and extended or spanning positions. Thehandle is secured to the cross member 611 by brackets 99.

The operation of the apparatus should be apparent from the foregoing. Inorder to load the trailer, the foremost track section 26 is elevated teits car loading position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and the rearrnosttrack section 28 is swung upwardly suflciently so that it will clear acar being moved onto the lower deck of the trailer from the rear. Firstcar A and then car B is driven or backed onto the lower deck through theopen rear end of the trailer. Skids (net shown) may be employed toprovide a ramp between the ground and the rear end of the lower deck, orthe lower deck may be loaded directly from a loading deck having thesame level as the lower deck.

Thereafter, the rear track section 28 is swungdown" wardly to theposition illustrated in Figure 1 which is both the car loading positionand the position thereof for snpporting a car in transit. The foremosttrack section 26 will remain in elevated car loading positionsubstantially in algnment with the forward end of the rearrnost tracksection 28. In order to span the space between the rear end of theformost track section and the forward end of the rearrnost tracksection, the intermediate track section 54 is moved forwardly to itsfully extended or spanning position shown in Figure 4 in which itsforward end of said intermediate track section 54 is in juxta-positionto the rear end of the forernost track section 26. The car C is thendriven or backed onto the rearrnost track section 28, thence acrcss theintermediate track section 54 onto the forernost track section 26.Suitable skids (not shown) may be provided to span the space between therear ends of the rearrnost track section 28 and the ground. Thereafter,the car C is tied down, as were cars A and B.

The foremost track section 26 is then swung down to the lowered orcarrying position shown in Figure 1. The intermediate track section 54is retracted prior to the downward movernent of the foremost tracksection 26 to permit the car C carried by the foremost track section 26to move therewith from a raised loading positon to a lowered carcarrying position without colliding with the intermediate track section54. 'I'hereafter, the intermediate track section 54 is extended fully tothe position shown in Figure 6. The car D is then driven or backed ontoboth the rear track section 28 and the intermediate track section 54 andis tied down. It will be noted in Figure 1 that one set of wheels of thecar D rests on the rearmost track section 28 while the other set ofwheels of the car D rests on the extended intermediate track section 54,whereby the intermediate track section 54 cooperates with the rearrnosttrack section 28 to carry the load of said car D while the carry carvehicle is in transit.

Any suitable means may be provided for holding the track sections 26 and28 in their elevated and lowered positions.

It shculd be pointed out that the intermediate track secti0n 54 does notinterfere with the upward swinging of the rearrnost track section 28 atany time.

Figures 7 and 8 show an upper deck track structure having a modifiedconstruction. The prnciple ditference between the upper deck trackstructure shown in Figures 7 and 8 and that shown in Figures 1-6 is inthe crcsssectional shape of the track members of the intermediate tracksection 154 and the rearrnost track section 128.

The foremost track section 126 is only partially shown and is mounted onthe trailer frame structure for pivotal movement in the same manner asthe foremost track section 26 shown in Figures 1-6. The laterally spacedtrack members 138 of the foremost track section (only one of which isshown) are of generally channel shape although ether cross-sectionalconfigurations may be employed as desired.

The rearrnost track section 128 is mounted on the frame structure of thetrailer for pivotal movement in the same marmer as the rearrnost tracksection 28 shown in Figures 16 and is arranged in lengitudinally spacedrelation to the foremost track section 126. The track members 142 and144 of the rearrnost track section are generally Z-shaped as best seenin Figure 8, and this is the principle dierence between the rearrnosttrack sectien 128 and the one shown in Figures 1-6. The base of eachtrack member is pivotally connected by hinges 15@ to the crcss framemember 146, which extends between the upright frames and 122. As in theconstruction of Fgures 16, the track members of the forernost tracksection, when in the elevated loading position illustrated, aregenerally aligned with but spaced from the fcrward ends at the trackrnernbers 142 and 144. A drip 152 extends between track members 142 and144.

The intermediate track section 154 is substantially the same as the oneshown in Figures 1-6 except that the track members 156 and 158 thereofhave generally the same Z-shaped configuratien as the track members ofthe rearrnost track section 128, as best seen in Figure 8. The bases ofthe track rnembers 156 and 1158 are respectively slidably supported enthe bases of the track members 142 and 144. The bars 166, similar tobars 66 described in Figures 1-6, are secured to the bottoms of thebases of track members 156 and 158 and ther laterally outer extrerntiesslidably engage the slideways which constitute flanges of angle plates172 respectively secured to the frames 1219 and 122. Slideways 17 lie ina com mort plane generally parallel to the rearrnost track section whenthe iatter is in the position shown. Bar 168 is rigidly secured te theinner ends of bars 166 to interconnect thern. The, lateraliy outerdepending flanges 167 of the track members 156 and 158 are cut away atthe front ends to clear the bars 166. The rear portions of the trackmembers 156 and 158 are interconnected by a member 160 which has itsouter ends secured to the laterally inturned extremities of theupstanding flanges 169 at the inner sides of the track members. Handle198 is carried by member 169.

The lateralty outwardly turned extrernities of the depending flanges 167of the track members 156 and 158 have secured thereto O-shaped clips171, and similar C-shaped clips are secured to the laterally inturnedextremities of the upstanding fianges 169. The clips extend beneath theccrrespnnding perticns of the track members 142 144 te retain theintermediate track section 154 in assernbied telescopic relation withthe rearrnost track section 128.

In its extended er spanning position, limited by the engagement of bars166 with plates carried bythe angle plates 172, ferward ends of thetrack members 156 and 158 of tre intermediate track section 154 are injuxtapcsition to the rear ends of the track members of the fcremosttrack section 126 te permit a car to be rnoved between the fcremost andrearrnost track sections 126 and 125 when they are in the loadingposition illustrated. The intermediate track section 154 may beretracted or moved rearwardly to a positon determined by bars 166teextend threugh aligned heles 184 and 6 in the plat'es 182 and inslideways 170 te held the intermediate track secten 154 extended asshown in Figure 7. Tic-down device 332 is canied by the frer1tends oftrack members 156 and 158.

As in the censtructien of Figures 1-6, the intermediate track sectien154 wll met interfere with the upward swinging of the rearmest tracksectien 128 at any time.

It Will be understeed that ether vehicies, such as trucks, may becarriedj by the track structure as well as the passe1ger auteme'eilesillustrated The term cars employed in the Specificatien and claims isintended te include withn its meanng a11 s uch vehicles and is net te beundersteed as Iimited te passenger autemebiles.

What I claim as rny inventien is:

1. A carry car vehiclc having three Permanenfly mounted track sectiensadapted when in a predeterrnned pesitien te previde lengthwise of thevehicle a centinueus track ente whch ene or more cars may be leaded, twoof said track s ectiens being spaced apart lengthwise of the vehicle andmeunted fer mvement independently of each ether trom an elevatedpesitien te a lewered pesi tien, one of said two track sectiens beingleng eneugh te carry thereen feur wheels of a car, the third of saidtrack sectiens being intermediate the twe spaced track sectiens andbeing nevable in ene directien lengthwise of the vehicle reative te saidtwo spaced track sectens te a pesitien permittng a car en said ene tracksectien te move therewith without celliding with said third track 011dcar may be carred by said ether track sectien and two wheels of saidsecend car may be carried by said third track sectien.

2. A carry car vehicle having a deck cemprising three permanentlymounted track sectiens adapted when in a predetermined pesitien teprevde lengthwise of the vehicle a contipuous track entc which ene ermore cars may be leaded, two of said track sectons being spaced apartlengthwise of the vehicle and pivetally meunted fer mevementindependently of each ether trom an de vated pesitien te a leweredpesitien, one of said two track SGCOIS being leng eneugh te carrythereen eurwheels of a car, the third of said track sectiens beingintermediate the two spaced track sectiens and being sldable in enedirectien relative te said two spaced track sectiens to a pestenpermitting a car en said ene track secten te move therewith withoutcolliding with said third track secten and slidable in the eppesitedrectien relatve te said two spaced track sectiens te a pesition fermingan en dwise extensien of the ether of said two track sectiens, wherebytwo wheels of a second car may be carried by said ether track sectie-nand two whecls of said secend car may be carried by said thirdtracksectien.

3. A carry car vehicle having three permanently mounted track sectiensadapted when in a predetermined pesitien te provide engthwise of thevehic1e a centinueus track o nte which er te er more cars may be leaded,two of said track sectens being 'spaced apart lengthwise of the vehicleand meurgted for mevement independently 01? each ether f101'11 anelevated pesition te a lewered pe sit en, ene of said twe track sectiensbeing leng eneugh te carrythereen tour wheels of a car, the third ofsaid track sectiens beir1g intermediate the two spaced track sectibnsndijeingmounted te move independently relativc te said two spaced tracksectiens te tvve pesitiens, ene ef said positons permitting a car ensaid ene track section te move therewith without celliding with said 8third track secton and the ether of said twb positiegg pe mi t zg sa trd track e t n e fertn in th QPPQSB d r ct a ive Q sai t Q. sp c d tra te ts i en whereby two Whee ls of a SCCQ!JC car may be carried by saidether track sectierr an d twe. whee1s of said secon cl car may becarried by said third track section.

4. A carry car vchicle havi ng a pair of rigidly meunt ed laterallyspaced upright side frames, three track sectiens between said sideframes arrd adapted wherr in a predetermned pesitiorr te previde ler rgthwise of the vehcle a centnueus track ente Which ene or more cars maybe leaded, two ef said track sections ben g spaced apart lengthwse ofthe vehicle and meunted 011 said s it le frames formevementindependerrtly of each ether trom an elevated position te alewered positien, the third of said track sectiens eeing intermedate thetwo spaced track sectiens and being movable indepenrlerrtly relative tesaid two spaced track sectien s te two pesiticrrs,ene ef said positienspermitting a car en ene of said two tracksectiens te move therewithwithout celliding with said third section, theether of said twepesitiens permitting said third track scctien te ferm an ndwiseextensien of the other of said two track sectiens, whereby two wheels ofa car may be carrie d by said ether sectien and two wheels of said carmaybe carried by said third section.

5. A carry car vehicle having a pair of rigidly meuntecl laterallyspacedupright. side frames, three track Sectiens between said sideframes and adapted when in a predetermined positien teprovide engthwiseof the vehicle a contnueus track onte which ene or more cars may beleaded, two of said track sectiens being spaced apart lengt hwise of thevehicle an-d meunted en said side frames fer movement independentlyef each ether frem an elevated pesitien te a lewered positie n the third ofsaid track sections being intcrmediate the two spaced track sectiens andbeing s lidable independently relative te said two spaced track sectienste twe positiens, ene of said pesitions permitting a car er: ene ef saidtwo track sections te move therewith without c011iding with saidsection, the ether of said two pes itierrs permitting said third tracksectien te ferm an endwis e extensien of the other ef said two tracksectierrs, whereby two wheels of a carmay be carried by said ethersectien and two Wheels of said car may be carried by said third section,arid slideways fer said third sectien carn'cd by said upright sideframes and adapted te guide said third sectien during sliding mevernentthereef between said two pesitions.

6. A carry car vehicle having a pair of rigidly meunted laterally spacedupright sde frames, three track sectiens between said sde frames ancladapted wheri in a predetermined pesition te previde lengthwise ofthevehicle a centinueus trackente which ene er more cars may be oadcd,two ef said track sectiens beng spaced apart lengthwise of the vehiceangi meurtted en said si ie frames fer movement independently of eachether frern an elevated pesit ien te a lewered positien, the third efsaid track sectiens being intermediate the two spaced track sect iensand bei n g sl dable independenty reiative te said two spaced tracksectiens te two pesitiens, ene of said positibns peunitting a car en eneet said tw e track sec.- tiens te move therewith witheut celiding withsaid third section, the ether of said two pesitienS permitting saidthird track sectien te ferm an endwiseextensioncf the ether ef said twotrack sectiertswhereby two wheelsef a car may be carried by said ethersectien and two wheels of said car may be carried by said third sectien,and means fer retainng said third track sectien in telescepic rclationwith the ether of -said two track sectiens.

7. A carry car vehicle having a pair of n'gidly rneu r;ted latcrallyspaced upright side frames, three track sectens betwee n said sideframes ar td adaptcd whenin a predeter mined positien to providelngthwise of the vehic le a c ntinuous trac 9n o hi h 0 16 e n: m ay eloaded,ti1vo ef said track sections leing spaced apart lengthwise of thevehicle and meunted en said side frames fer movement independently ofeach ether from an elevated pesition to a lewered pesition, the third ofsaid track sections being intermediate the two spaced track sectiens andbeing slidable independently relative te said two spaced track sectienste two positions, ene of said positions permitting a car en ene of saidtwo track sectiens te move therewith without celliding with said thirdsection, the ether of said two positions permitting said third tracksection te ferm an endwise extensien of the other of said two tracksections, whereby two wheels of a car may be carried by said ethersection and two wheels of said car may be carried by said third section,and means for guiding said third section during sliding movement thereefbetween said two positions.

8. A carry car vehicle having a pair of rigidly mounted laterally spacedupright side frames, three track sectiens between said side frames andadapted when in a pre determined pesitien te provide lengthwise of thevehicle a centinueus track ente which ene or more cars may be leaded,two of said track sectiens being spaced apart lengthwise of the vehicleand meunted 011 said side frames fer mevement independently of eachether from an elevated pesition te a lewered pesition, the third of saidtrack sections being intermediate the two spaced track sectiens andbeing slidable independently relative te said two spaced track sectienste two positions, ene of said positions permtting a car en ene of saidtwo track sections te move therewith without colliding with said thirdsection, the ether of said two positions permitting said third tracksection te ferm an endwise extensien of the ether of said two tracksections, whereby two wheels of a car may be carried by said ethersection and two wheels of said car may be carried by said third section,means for guiding said third section during slid- -ing mevement thereefbetween said two positions, and means carried by said upright frames andoperable when said third section reaches either of said two positionsfer limiting sliding mevement of said third section.

9. A carry car vehcle having a pair of rigidly meunted laterally spacedupright side frames, three track sectiens between said side frames andadapted when in a prede termined pesition te provide lengthwise of thevehicle a centinueus track ente which ene or more cars may be leaded,two of said track sections being spaced apart lengthwise of the vehcleand meunted en said side frames for mevement independently of each etherfrom an elevated pesition te a lewered pesition, the third of said tracksectiens being intermediate the two spaced track sectiens and beingslidable ndependently relative te said two spaced track sectiens te twopositions, one of said positions permitting a car on ene of said twotrack sections te move therewith without colliding with said thirdsection, the ether of said two positions permiting said third tracksection te form and endwise extensien of the ether of said two tracksections, whereby two wheels of a car may be carried by said ethersection and two wheels of said car may be carried by said third 1()section, and means fer holding said third section in one of the twopositions aferesaid.

10. A carry car vehicle having a pair of rigidly meunted laterallyspaced upright side frames, three track sectiens between said sideframes and adapted when in a predetermined pestien te provide lengthwseof the vehicle a continueus track ente which ene or more cars may beloaded, two of said track sections being spaced apart lengthwise of thevehicle and meunted on said side frames fer mevement independently ofeach other from an elevated pesition te a lewered pesition, the third ofsaid track sections being intermediate the two spaced track sections andbeing slidable independently relative te said two spaced track sectionste two positions, ene of said positions permitting a car on ene of saidtwo track sectiens te move therewith without collidng with said thirdsection, the ether of said two positions per mitting said third tracksection te ferm and endwise extensien of the other of said two tracksections, whereby two wheels of a car may be carried by said ethersection and two wheels of said car may be carried by said third section,slideways fer said third section carried by said npright side frames andadapted te guide said third sectien during sliding mevement thereefbetween said two positions, a plate carried by said third section, andmeans fer holding said third section in ene of the two positionsaferesaid including a pin engageable with registering epenings in saidplate and ene of said slideways.

11. A carry car vehicle having; a pair of rigidly meunted laterallyspaced upright side frames, three track sectiens between said sideframes and adapted when in a predetermined pesitien te providelengthwise of the vehicle a centinueus track ente whch ene or more carsmay be leaded, two of said track sectiens being spaced apart lengthwiseof the vehicle and meunted en said side frames fer mevementindependently of each ether from an elevated pesitien te a loweredpesition, the third of said track sections being intermediate the twospaced track sectiens and being slidable independently relative te saidtwo spaced track sectiens te two positions, ene of said positionspermitting a car en ene of said two track sectiens te move therewithwithout celliding with said third section, the ether of said twopestiens permitting said third track section te ferm an endwiseextensien of the other of said two track sections, whereby two wheels ofa car may be carried by said ether section and two wheels of said carmay be carried by said third section, and means fer guiding said thirdsection during sliding movement thereof between said two positions, i11-cluding slideways carried by said upright side frames, and lateralprojectiens en said third section supported upen and slidably engagingsaid slideways.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSHuebshman July 28, 1953

